Kuwait’s ruler travels to the US on a private visit

Kuwait’s emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah travelled to the US from the UK on a private visit on Thursday, the official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) reported.

He flew to the UK – also on a private visit – on Tuesday.

He was accompanied to the US by the deputy president of the National Guard Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.

The duration of the visit was not disclosed.

He was seen off from the UK by first deputy PM Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah, Kuwait’s ambassador to the UK Khaled Abdulaziz Al Duwaisan and other officials.

Muslims around the world are currently celebrating the Eid Al Adha festival, which marks the end of the hajj pilgrimage.

The public sector in Kuwait has been given leave from Sunday, August 19 until Thursday, August 23, to mark the occasion.

Work in ministries and government institutes will be halted during the entire week, officials confirmed.

Eid Al Adha, known as the ‘feast of the sacrifice’, honours the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son to God. Before he could commit the act, God sent an angel to replace the sacrifice with a sheep.

During Eid, Muslims sacrifice an animal in commemoration of this act and divide it into three parts.

One third is for family, one third is for relatives, friends and neighbours and one third is given to the poor and needy.